+ URBAN FORESTRY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 18, 2015, - 5:30 p.m. Northwest Recreation Center 2913 Northland Austin, Texas URBAN FORESTRY BOARD MEMBERS: APPOINTMENT : Christopher Kite, Chair Council Member Laura Morrison, Place 4 Peggy Maceo (Vice-Chair) Council Member Kathie Tovo, Place 3 Len Newsom Council Member Bill Spelman, Place 5 Patrick Brewer Mayor Lee Leffingwell Nicholas Classen Mayor Pro-Tem Sheryl Cole, Place 6 Ryan Fleming Council Member Mike Martinez, Place 2 Keith Brown Council Member Chris Riley, Place 1 URBAN FORESTRY EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS : Michael Embesi, City Arborist, Planning and Development Review Department Pat Fuller, Division Manager, Parks and Recreation Department – Director Designee Vacant, Urban Forester, Planning and Development Review Department John Clement, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department – Director Designee AGENDA A. CALL TO ORDER B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Board meeting of January 28, 2015. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first 4 (four) speakers signed up prior to the calling of the meeting to order are allowed a three-minute allotment each to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. D. ANNOUNCEMENTS E. URBAN FORESTER EXECUTIVE LIAISON REPORT – Emily King, Acting Urban Forester, Planning, Development and Review Department, including: Austin Urban Forest Plan Implementation Monthly Update Monthly Notification: Removal of protected size trees on parkland that constitute an imminent public safety risk. Summary of impacts to tree roots in Zilker Park from the U.S.A. Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships that occurred from January 7-12, 2015. Update on Draft Cemetery Master Plan. Update -- Public Works Department. Update on ForkLife DanceWorks at Govalle Park. F. ACTION ITEM BRIEFINGS 1. Grant application requesting $30,000.00 for vertical mulching on the Shoal Creek Restoration Project. Presenter: Darcy Nuffer, Watershed Protection Department. 2. Grant application requesting $30,000.00 for invasive plant management on the Shoal Creek Restoration Project. Presenter: Darcy Nuffer, Watershed Protection Department. 3. Overview of UFB By-Laws and functions to prepare for possible special called meeting with Environmental Board related to transfer of UFB responsibilities to Environmental Commission. Presenter: Chris Kite, UFB Chair. 4. Update on Cyclo Cross event at Zilker Park. Presenters: Jason Maurer, Sales and Event Manager, Parks and Recreation Department, and Lara Schuman, Acting Program Manager, Forestry Unit, Parks and Recreation Department G. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion and approval of grant application requesting $30,000.00 for vertical mulching on the …
+ URBAN FORESTRY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, January 28, 2015, - 5:30 p.m. Northwest Recreation Center 2913 Northland Austin, Texas Board Members in Attendance: Board Chair Chris Kite, Board Vice-Chair Peggy Maceo, Board Members Patrick Brewer, Keith Brown, Nick Classen, Ryan Fleming (left meeting at 7:05PM), Len Newsom Staff in Attendance: Parks and Recreation Department Lara Schuman, Acting Program Manager, Forestry Unit Robert Clawson, Nature Based Programs Division, UFB Staff Liaison Planning and Development Review Department: Emily King, Acting Urban Forester Michael Embesi, City Arborist Lynn Tozser, Program Specialist Austin Energy Department: Ray Henning, Line Clearance Supervisor Public Works Department: Rob Grotty, Urban Forestry Program Manager Watershed Protection Department: John Clement, Environmental Program MEETING MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Kite called the meeting to order at 5:42 PM. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Board meeting of December 17, 2014. Motion made by Board Member Newsom, seconded by Board Member Brewer to approve the meeting minutes of December 17, 2014. Approved Board Chair Kite and Board Members Brewer, Brown, Classen, Fleming and Newsom. Board Vice-Chair Maceo opposed. Motion carries. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first 4 (four) speakers signed up prior to the calling of the meeting to order are allowed a three-minute allotment each to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Guy LeBlanc – Zilker bike race damage. Zoila Vega – Austin Heritage Tree Foundation – Zilker trees. Michael Fossum – Zilker trees. D. ANNOUNCEMENTS Memorial planting of Survivor Tree at Fort Hood tomorrow. The Environmental Board is having an Urban Growth Policy and Development subcommittee meeting this Friday (January 30th) at 11 a.m. on the 11th floor of the One Texas Center. The meeting will include discussion about tree impacts from the recent Cycling CycloCross Bike Race at Zilker Park. The transition of the selected Urban Forestry employees from PARD to PDRD is underway. This transition is based upon the City Council resolution from last August which identified that the six full time planning personnel be transferred to PDRD (while keeping the maintenance and operation personnel with PARD). Please know that Emily King has been appointed as the City’s Urban Forester and Lynn Tozser has commenced training (present tonight) to facilitate future Urban Forestry Board meetings as the Staff Liaison. Forklift Danceworks performance will be April 11 &12 There was a planting …
City of Austin Draft Cemetery Master Plan Tree Care Highlights Definitions Historic Trees: Individual trees and other plants within the cemeteries are considered historic if they were either growing or planted within the period of significance of a cemetery, or if they are part of a pattern of vegetation from the period of significance. Protected Trees: Any tree 19” in diameter at breast height, ~4.5’ from grade (DBH), regardless of species or condition Heritage Trees: as having a diameter of 24 inches or more in DBH, and is one of the following species: Texas ash, bald cypress, American elm, cedar elm, Texas madrone, bigtooth maple, all oaks, pecan, Arizona walnut, and Eastern black walnut. Preservation • Preserve historic trees by developing a tree protection, preservation, planting, and maintenance plan for each cemetery in collaboration with an ISA Certified Arborist and PARD Urban Forestry • Fertilize trees annually with a slow release organic fertilizer, preferably compost, as determined necessary by soil testing • Mulch all trees, covering as much of the Critical Root Zone (CRZ) as possible, while keeping a mulch free area around trunks • Perform bulk density testing of CRZs to determine levels of soil compaction, then aerate using an air-spade as needed. • Maintain historic trees, and explore all options for mitigating risk before removal • If conflicts arise between a tree and a marker, consider the temporary relocation of the marker rather than the removal of the tree • Inspect cemetery trees after large storms to look for tree damage • Prune trees only as necessary to reduce risk or improve tree health using the following prioritization levels: o 1st Priority – prune for safety o 2nd Priority – prune to preserve health of the tree including improving structure o 3rd Priority – Prune for aesthetics. Special Note: Topping of crape myrtles shall not be performed. • Ensure that new construction, markers, and plantings, and regular grounds maintenance activities do not negatively impact root systems of existing trees. Post oaks are called out for extra protection. • Implement a cyclical tree inspection and maintenance program • Educate cemetery maintenance staff about the importance of trees and their care Removals • Tree removals will only be done for safety reasons when no other solutions are possible • Removing any tree 3”in DBH or greater, regardless of condition, will require approval from PARD Forestry • All removals will be …
Date ApprovedParkAddressSpeciesDBH (in)ConditionTree Risk (i.e. Moderate, High, etc.)Highest Risk Part and Defect TypePrimary Target1/8/2015Bartholomew5201 Berkman DrCedar Elm23PoorHIGHTree has a codoninat stem with approx. 4' horizontal split from crown to main truck. Park users1/8/2015Bartholomew5201 Berkman DrCedar Elm23PoorHIGHThe tree has extensive decay through out the entire tree. Park users1/15/2015Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park400 Grove Blvd.Cottonwood43PoorHIGHTree has extensive root rot and hardwood decay Park users1/23/2015Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park401 Grove Blvd.Mulberry 21PoorHighExtensive trunk decay at point of attachment for two large limbsPark UsersPARD Urban Forestry - Program Park Tree Permits January 2015
JAN '15DEC '14NOV '14OCT '14SEP '14AUG '14JULY '14JUNE '14MAY '14APR '14MAR '14FEB '1412-Month TOTALTree Permits12141671692902282472432492723402882352,942Native Inches Removed197276488462590504458489301923091,1735,339Inches Mitigated123146932002664762074152692504694653,379Percentage Mitigated62%53%19%43%45%94%45%85%89%272%152%40%10Poor Condition or High Risk1,6211,3581,6073,5183,6193,0153,4713,5023,5394,0292,2702,71334,262Tree Permits2111214212040333722201319262Trees Planted5,40044257123NRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR5,824Trees Removed3NRNR161741882320211820165Native Protected Removed3NRNR200000312210Inches Removed3NRNR243177421971102832382182702572,035Trees DistributedNR013131104609001013677792Site Plans Approved4182818242919171815171622241Caliper Inches Surveyed1478511,23227,9655,39030,9586,4553,1371171,1352,10012,20713,828129,309Caliper Inches Preserved7,3647,48512,4603,64118,3254,484890353101,05410,8939,33576,276Percentage Preserved50%67%45%68%59%69%28%30%27%50%89%68%6Native Inches Removed73983,74715,5051,74912,6331,9712,247828251,0461,3144,49353,010Inches Planted/Mitigated2,3631,8616,8271,0665,0611,7731,305825947054832,77324,893Percentage Replanted32%50%44%61%40%90%58%100%72%67%37%62%7Subdivisions Approved1493318201224161271311189Funds Received$154,150$25,400$69,238$80,498$66,945$39,980$88,650$25,100$15,225$12,318$7,175$74,349$659,028Fund Amount (Per Inch)425127346402335200443126766236372$2,949Grants Appropriated0$0$15,000$6,000$0$12,000$0$610$45,795$45,000$0$0$124,405City Arborists (5)3103113354894374804675535705154594605,386Oak Wilt Arborist (1)201413274229543949763924426Environmental Inspectors (12)4,4664,3003,9873,9983,1893,3613,5893,8763,5893,1703,1462,89143,562Landscape Inspectors (2)453742442961474347616641563General Permit Inspectors (4)6681901574114013814413711013389772,0241 - Tree Ordinance Review Applications (mostly protected size trees on proposed single family construction lots or protected size trees which are diseased/dying)18-Feb-152 - High-risk trees within parks and right-of-ways3 - Trees with trunks greater than 8" in diameter (dead and invasive species not included)4 - Site Plan Corrections, Extensions, and Boat Docks not includedNR - Not ReportedMonthly Report"January 2015"InspectionsUrban Forest Replenishment FundPermitting and ReplenishmentTree PermitsPublic PropertyElectric UtilityCommercial Site Plans
Tree Care and Invasive Species Management: Shoal Creek Restoration in Pease Park Project Scale and Scope•15thStreet to 28thStreet•18 month construction phase•Adaptive management approach•3 year landscape maintenance phase•Follow‐up invasive management and revegetation•Recurrent soil treatments and mulch applications Vertical Mulching•Deliver oxygen and nutrients to root zone•One‐time application•Project certified arborist and restoration expert overseeing process•Additional tree protection (fencing) and application of nutrients (compost, mulch)throughout project length Vertical MulchingHand‐held auger12” deep holes, 1” min. diameter, 3’ on center124 trees throughout project reach Invasive Species Management•Mainly arundo, ligustrum, chinaberry•100,000 sq. ft. quantity•Managed over project lengthFall 2014Winter 2015 Invasive Species TasksPrioritize by species and locationOutline timing and techniquesSurvey and mark speciesQuantify management areasManage during construction and 3 year maintenance phaseRevegetateas needed Creek Health + Forest Health = Pease Park2Thank you!Vertical mulching:estimated cost: $137,763grant request: $30,000Invasive species management:estimated cost: $150,000grant request: $30,000
